Chapter 16: The Conspiracy (Part 1)

Party Secretary Guo Yongchen is already 63 years old and will retire in two years. Governor Zhang Chengyi, on the other hand, is much younger, just 50. Although the two do not always work well together, they have no significant conflicts. Zhang Chengyi, young and ambitious, hopes to become the Party Secretary and then aim for the Politburo, aspiring to join the ranks of national leaders. Therefore, he is very proactive in his work, while Guo Yongchen is more steady and sometimes out of sync. However, Guo Yongchen is a broad-minded person and does not hold these things against him. Moreover, he sees potential in Zhang Chengyi and does not make things difficult for him, so their relationship is relatively peaceful.

However, in the political arena, sometimes one's actions are not entirely under their control. Even if the parties involved do not mind, it does not mean that those around them do not. People around Guo Yongchen say that Zhang Chengyi does not respect him, while those around Zhang Chengyi say that Guo Yongchen hinders his efforts to achieve political accomplishments. Both sides are fanning the flames, and the conflict gradually escalates. Zhang Chengyi, young and with a bright future, has many supporters who are actively aligning with him, causing Guo Yongchen's supporters to dwindle.

Yan Qing, the Minister of Organization of the Provincial Party Committee, was appointed by the central government and was already familiar with Zhang Chengyi. After arriving in Hebei Province, he quickly aligned with Zhang Chengyi. As the Party Secretary, Guo Yongchen found that some important personnel appointments could not pass through Yan Qing, who would only consider candidates favored by Zhang Chengyi. This was a significant affront to Guo Yongchen. However, he bet on Zhang Chengyi's success because Zhang Chengyi had strong backing. Although Guo Yongchen is from a prominent family, he is old and has little time left in politics. Youth is the greatest asset!

Guo Yongchen, unable to tolerate this any longer, could not move Zhang Chengyi but felt confident he could move Yan Qing. A Minister of Organization who does not listen to the Party Secretary clearly lacks organizational discipline, and he believed that the top leader would support his stance.

Guo Yongchen went to the central government to report on Yan Qing. Although Yan Qing was appointed by the central government, he had little influence, which is why he sought to align with Zhang Chengyi. However, Zhang Chengyi had not yet firmly established himself and did not want to speak up for Yan Qing, as it would reveal his conflict with Guo Yongchen, which would be detrimental to his future promotions. Therefore, the central government, considering Guo Yongchen's position, had to make adjustments. A vice-provincial position in another province was vacant, so Yan Qing was transferred there. Guo Yongchen then proposed that Zhao Bingzhi be appointed as the Minister of Organization, and the central government agreed.

When Zhao Bingzhi became the Minister of Organization, the officials in Xianhe Township learned about it from the newspaper. Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong, of course, also saw it. Wang Jian, upon learning this, could not help but remark that Zhao Yixuan would now have a bright future, with an uncle who is the Minister of Organization, making promotions a breeze.

Wang Jian quickly called Zhao Yixuan to discuss this. Zhao Yixuan's reaction was very calm. As a woman, the political arena is still dominated by men, and while her male cousins might be pleased, it would not significantly affect her. Moreover, someone had introduced her to the son of the provincial finance department director, who works at the provincial youth league. Although she did not particularly like him after meeting him, her family was very happy, and the son of the provincial finance department director was also delighted to marry the niece of the Minister of Organization, as it would be a great match.

Wang Jian and Chen Yu were unaware of this. After sensing Zhao Yixuan's indifference, Wang Jian assumed she was used to such things and did not press the matter further, only discussing work-related issues and asking when she could come. Zhao Yixuan did not specify a time, and Wang Jian casually chatted for a bit before hanging up.

Zhao Yixuan's indifference did not affect Zhang Zeguang, who became even more focused on Wang Jian. Zhao Bingzhi, originally a vice-provincial official, now had control over all the officials in the province. Anyone who could establish a connection with him would have an easy path to promotion. Wang Jian, being Zhao Yixuan's classmate and potential lover, would surely have a smooth future.

After becoming the Minister of Organization, Zhao Bingzhi followed Guo Yongchen's instructions closely. He remembered that Guo Yongchen had proposed the idea of successors during a provincial party committee meeting, using Wang Jian as an example. At the time, Yan Qing had agreed but did not take it seriously. Now, as the Minister of Organization, Zhao Bingzhi aimed to implement this. He proposed to the provincial party committee that a group of young, educated, and capable officials be cultivated at the grassroots level to build a solid foundation for future cadres. Guo Yongchen approved of this, as current officials often lack grassroots experience and are disconnected from the masses. Zhao Bingzhi, who also came from the grassroots, agreed with Guo Yongchen's views.

The provincial party committee's organization department issued a special document, requiring local cities to focus on cultivating young officials as reserves. The requirements included a bachelor's degree, an age limit of 28, and a proven track record of good performance and recognition by the masses. Such individuals could be promoted to township-level leadership positions, and the most outstanding could become the main leaders.

After the document was issued, Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan felt it was tailor-made for Wang Jian. Zhang Zeguang and Li Jiarong also believed Wang Jian met the criteria. Fang Zhiming, upon learning this, began to take action. He met the requirements and decided to aim for a position in the township leadership rather than the party and government office director.

Feng Guoqiang, however, was puzzled. He was about to be promoted to deputy township head, but the organization department's move changed the game. There were many eligible candidates in Xianhe Township, but he was most concerned about Wang Jian and Fang Zhiming. Although others met the criteria, they lacked connections. Wang Jian, as the party and government office director, could easily be promoted to deputy township head, and Fang Zhiming, with his uncle as the finance department director, had an easy path. This made Feng Guoqiang very anxious.

The competition in the township intensified. Fang Zhiming focused on how to remove Feng Guoqiang and Wang Jian. Lü Fang, the village secretary of Xinhe Village, had a good relationship with Fang Zhiming. Fang Zhiming approached Lü Fang to discuss a plan. Lü Fang, having secured many projects from the county finance department through Fang Zhiming, was very cooperative.

Lü Fang invited Wang Jian to dinner, ostensibly to thank him for his efforts in adjusting the agricultural structure in his village. Wang Jian initially did not want to go, but Lü Fang said Feng Guoqiang would also be there and asked Wang Jian to give him some face. Reluctantly, Wang Jian agreed.

Lü Fang happily took Wang Jian and Feng Guoqiang to the county for dinner. Feng Guoqiang, feeling idle and depressed, agreed to go to the best hotel in the county. During the meal, Lü Fang showed great respect to both Feng Guoqiang and Wang Jian. Feng Guoqiang, feeling satisfied, said to Lü Fang, "Secretary Lü, don't be too formal. If you have any requests, just say them, and I will do my best to help!"

Lü Fang laughed and said, "I have no special requests. I just see great potential in both of you and want to build a relationship. I am very grateful for your presence!"

As a village secretary, Lü Fang's low profile towards the two middle-level officials seemed unusual. Feng Guoqiang, after some thought, realized that Lü Fang must see them as the most likely candidates for deputy township positions and was trying to build relationships early. This made him realize that everyone saw Wang Jian as a competitor, and Lü Fang's invitation to both of them for a drink was both amusing and cunning. It was like inviting two guests to one table, a very shrewd move!

Wang Jian, however, was suspicious of Lü Fang's true intentions. He had heard that Lü Fang had a good relationship with Fang Zhiming but did not invite him. Moreover, there were no specific requests, and the reason for the dinner seemed weak. Was there a hidden agenda?

Although Feng Guoqiang did not like Lü Fang's approach, he could not resist the continuous toasts and soon became drunk. After dinner, Lü Fang suggested they go to a bathhouse for a massage. Knowing Feng Guoqiang's preferences, he agreed.

Wang Jian did not want to go, but Lü Fang insisted, saying they were there to relax. This further increased Wang Jian's suspicions.

At the largest bathhouse in the county, after the staff announced the arrival of three male guests, they entered the hall. Lü Fang led the way, guiding Feng Guoqiang inside.

Wang Jian had never been to a bathhouse before and felt his heart racing at the chaotic atmosphere. Feng Guoqiang, seemingly sobering up, greeted the women and occasionally touched their bottoms.

After the bath, the women approached, offering services. Lü Fang, with a sly smile, asked Feng Guoqiang if they should each take one. Feng Guoqiang said, "Sure, one each, no backing out!"

Feng Guoqiang clearly did not want to do this alone, and Lü Fang, understanding his thoughts, snapped his fingers and called three women to lead the guests to their rooms for massages.

The women led Feng Guoqiang and Wang Jian to the rooms. Lü Fang went first with a woman, and Feng Guoqiang followed. Wang Jian, unwilling to go, was pulled by a woman. After some hesitation, Wang Jian decided to see what was going on and followed.

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End of Chapter 16: The Conspiracy (Part 1)